ID Theft on dating websites
On dating websites, people are most often with a simple nickname. This culture of anonymity has several consequences. Of course, you think of the danger of the bad meeting. But we can also mention the case of a friend who does not necessarily want you well and that encourages members to contact you…
Identity Theft and moral harassment:
In its yesterday edition, the Parisien (French newspaper) reported Aurélia, a victim of harassment following the theft of her identity. A person of his entourage had indeed created an account on VivaStreet and Meetic by posting an announcement very slutty.
This person incited these men on dating sites to contact her by the phone and even through Aurélia postal address.
I let you imagine the enjoyment by being awakened at night by a man who has been promised a torrid night… Aurélia says that some people have even come directly from ringing at her door…
Harassment hardly avoidable…
Aurélia was obviously eager to write to Vivastreet and Meetic urging them to withdraw the profile of the person who communicated his personal details and encouraged people to get in touch with her. If VivaStreet executed itself, Meetic told Aurelia she had to complain to the police so her request will be taken into attention.
Meetic has not hidden his helplessness, saying: “We do not have the possibility to protect people from this type of scam.”
Aurélia, a none isolated case:
In June 2006, someone who had been stealing her colleague ID had already been convicted of a similar case. She subscribed on Meetic and was encouraging members to contact her colleague. The usurper was then convicted to pay more than €10,000 in damages.
Once again, this type of misbehavior only indicates the need to provide more guarantees to singles so they can finally go to dating sites in confidence and not to have doubts about each profile…
